Measurement of the cascade transition via the first excited state of 16O in the 12C(alpha,gamma)16O reaction, and its S factor in stellar helium burning

Radiative alpha-particle capture into the first excited, J(pi)=0+ state of 16O at 6.049 MeV excitation energy has rarely been discussed as contributing to the 12C(alpha,gamma)16O reaction cross section due to experimental difficulties in observing this transition. We report here measurements of this radiative capture in 12C(alpha,gamma)16O for center-of-mass energies of E=2.22 MeV to 5.42 MeV at the DRAGON recoil separator. To determine cross sections, the acceptance of the recoil separator has been simulated in GEANT as well as measured directly. The transition strength between resonances has been identified in R-matrix fits as resulting both from E2 contributions as well as E1 radiative capture. Details of the extrapolation of the total cross section to low energies are then discussed [S6.0(300)=25(-15)(+16) keV b] showing that this transition is likely the most important cascade contribution for 12C(alpha,gamma)16O.     

12C(alpha,gamma)16O: the key reaction in stellar nucleosynthesis

The angular distributions of gamma rays from the 12C(alpha,gamma)16O reaction have been measured at 20 energy points in the energy range E(cm) = 0.95 to 2.8 MeV. The sensitivity of the present experiment compared to previous direct investigations was raised by 1-2 orders of magnitude, by using an array of highly efficient ( 100%) Ge detectors shielded actively with BGOs, as well as high beam currents of up to 500 microA that were provided by the Stuttgart Dynamitron accelerator. The S(E1) and S(E2) factors deduced from the gamma angular distributions have been extrapolated to the range of helium burning temperatures applying the R-matrix method, which yielded S(300)(E1) = (76+/-20) keV b and S(300)(E2) = (85+/-30) keV b.     

12C+12C fusion reactions near the Gamow energy

The fusion reactions 12C(12C,alpha)20Ne and 12C(12C,p)23Na have been studied from E=2.10 to 4.75 MeV by gamma-ray spectroscopy using a C target with ultralow hydrogen contamination. The deduced astrophysical S(E)* factor exhibits new resonances at E< or =3.0 MeV, in particular, a strong resonance at E=2.14 MeV, which lies at the high-energy tail of the Gamow peak. The resonance increases the present nonresonant reaction rate of the alpha channel by a factor of 5 near T=8x10(8) K. Because of the resonance structure, extrapolation to the Gamow energy EG=1.5 MeV is quite uncertain. An experimental approach based on an underground accelerator placed in a salt mine in combination with a high efficiency detection setup could provide data over the full EG energy range.     

S17(0) determined from the Coulomb breakup of 83 MeV /nucleon 8B

A kinematically complete measurement was made of the Coulomb dissociation of 8B nuclei on a Pb target at 83 MeV/nucleon. The cross section was measured at low relative energies in order to infer the astrophysical S factor for the 7Be(p,gamma)8B reaction. A first-order perturbation theory analysis including E1, E2, and M1 transitions was employed to extract the E1 strength relevant to neutrino-producing reactions in the solar interior. By fitting the measured cross section from E(rel) = 130 to 400 keV, we find S17(0) = 17.8(+1.4)(-1.2) eV b.     

Measurement of the beta beta-decay rate of 100Mo to the first excited 0(+) State of 100Ru

The double-beta beta beta(2 nu)-decay rate of 100Mo to the first excited 0(+) state of 100Ru has been measured by a gamma-gamma coincidence technique that uses two HPGe detectors to observe the two gamma rays ( E(gamma 1) = 590.76 keV; E(gamma 2) = 539.53 keV) from the 100Ru nucleus as it deexcites to the ground state via the 0(+)-->2(+)-->0(+) sequence. Unlike all previous beta beta-decay experiments, this technique provides data which have a large signal-to-background ratio. After a 440-day measurement of a 1.05-kg isotopically enriched (98.4%) disk of 100Mo, 22 detected coincidence events (with an estimated background of 2.5 events) yield a half-life of [5.9(+1.7)(-1.1)(stat)+/-0.6(syst)] x 10(20) years.     

Observation of an isotriplet of excited charmed baryons decaying to lambda+c pi

We report the observation of an isotriplet of excited charmed baryons, decaying into Lambda(+)(c)pi(-), Lambda(+)(c)pi(0), and Lambda(+)(c)pi(+). We measure the mass differences M(Lambda(+)(c)pi)-M(Lambda(+)(c)) and widths to be 515.4(+3.2+2.1)(-3.1-6.0) MeV/c(2), 61(+18+22)(-13-13) MeV for the neutral state; 505.4(+5.8+12.4)(-4.6-2.0) MeV/c(2), 62(+37+52)(-23-38) MeV for the charged state; and 514.5(+3.4+2.8)(-3.1-4.9) MeV/c(2), 75(+18+12)(-13-11) MeV for the doubly charged state, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results are obtained from a 281 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector near the Upsilon(4S) resonance, at the KEKB asymmetric energy e(+)e(-) collider.     

Measurement of the B(e2) of (7)(lambda)Li and shrinkage of the hypernuclear size

We report on the first measurement of a hypernuclear gamma-transition probability. gamma rays emitted in the E2(5/2(+)-->1/2(+)) transition of (7)(Lambda)Li were detected by a large-acceptance germanium detector array (Hyperball), and the lifetime of the parent state ( 5/2(+)) was determined by the Doppler shift attenuation method. The obtained result, 5.8(+0.9)(-0.7)+/-0.7 ps, was then converted into the reduced transition probability [ B(E2)] to be B(E2;5/2(+)-->1/2(+)) = 3.6+/-0.5(+0.5)(-0.4) e(2) fm(4). Compared with the B(E2) of the corresponding E2(3(+)-->1(+)) transition in the 6Li nucleus, our result gives evidence that the size of the 6Li core in (7)(Lambda)Li is smaller than the 6Li nucleus in the free space.     

Dynamical quark effects on light quark masses

Light quark masses are calculated in lattice QCD with two degenerate flavors of dynamical quarks. The calculations are made with improved actions with lattice spacing a = 0.22-0.11 fm. In the continuum limit we find m(M&Smacr;)(ud)(2 GeV) = 3.44(+0.14)(-0.22) MeV using the pi and rho meson masses as physical input, and m(M&Smacr;)(s)(2 GeV) = 88(+4)(-6) MeV or 90(+5)(-11) MeV with the K or straight phi meson mass as additional input. The quoted errors represent statistical and systematic combined, the latter including those from continuum and chiral extrapolations, and from renormalization factors. Compared to quenched results, two flavors of dynamical quarks reduce quark masses by about 25%.     

Lifetime of the 6793-keV state in 15O

The energy derived from the CN cycle at low stellar temperatures is regulated by the 14N(p,gamma)15O reaction. A previous direct measurement of this reaction has been interpreted as showing evidence for a subthreshold resonance which makes a major contribution to the reaction rate at low temperatures. This resonance, at E(c.m.) = -504 keV would correspond to the known Ex = 6793-keV state in 15O. We have measured a mean lifetime of 1.60(+0.75)(-0.72) fs (90% C.L.) for this state using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. This lifetime is a factor of 15 longer than that inferred from the (p,gamma) data and implies that the contribution of the subthreshold resonance is negligible.     

Isospin mixing in 12C

We observe a yield to the 1⁺T = 1 level in ¹²C at 15.11 MeV in the isospin forbidden ¹²C(d, d') and ¹⁰B(α, d) reactions at about 1 % of the yield to the 1⁺T = 0 level at 12.71 MeV. Observed yields to the T = 12⁺ level at 16.11 MeV in both reactions at about half the yield to the 15.11 MeV level preclude attributing this observed isospin violation entirely to final state mixing. From the ratios of the spectroscopic factors for the 12.71 and 15.11 MeV levels in ¹²C and the ground state of ¹²B from the ¹³C(d, t) and ¹³C(d, ³He) reactions, we find a charge dependent matrix element between the 1⁺ states in ¹²C of 179 ± 75 keV.     

Elastic and inelastic scattering of 12C ions at intermediate energies

Elastic and inelastic scattering of ¹²C ions on ¹²C and ²⁰⁸Pb targets have been measured at the incident energies per nucleon E / A = 120 MeV/u and E / A = 200 MeV/u. Optical-model analysis is reported and nuclear surface transparency effects are discussed, together with the nuclear potential-energy dependence. The transparency region extends down to a radial internuclear distance of about 3 fm for the ¹²C-¹²C system and 8 fm for the ¹²C-²⁰⁸Pb system. A decrease of the imaginary potential with increasing incident energy is deduced for the two systems. Anomalous collapse of the real potential in the surface region is observed for ¹²C-²⁰⁸Pb system at 200 MeV/u. DWBA analysis of data on the 2⁺, 4.4 MeV state of ¹²C is reported and trends for the energy dependance of mean-field excitations are deduced.     

Hypernuclear fine structure in (16)(Lambda)O and the LambdaN tensor interaction

We have observed two gamma-ray transitions in (16)(Lambda)O from the 6.6 MeV excited 1(-)(2) state to both ground-state spin-doublet members (1(-)(1),0(-)) by the (K-,pi(-)gamma) reaction. We have obtained the ground-state doublet spacing to be 26.4+/-1.6(stat)+/-0.5(syst) keV and the excitation energy of the 1(-)(2) state to be 6561.7+/-1.1(stat)+/-1.7(syst) keV. The ground-state doublet spacing provides a small but nonzero strength of the tensor interaction between a Lambda and a nucleon. This is the first experimental result on the LambdaN tensor interaction.     

Experimental evidence for a light and broad scalar resonance in D(+) --> pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decay

From a sample of 1172 +/- 61 D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decays, we find gamma(D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+))/gamma(D(+)-->K-pi(+)pi(+)) = 0.0311 +/- 0.0018(+0.0016)(-0.0026). Using a coherent amplitude analysis to fit the Dalitz plot of these decays, we find strong evidence that a scalar resonance of mass 478(+24)(-23) +/- 17 MeV/c(2) and width 324(+42)(-40) +/- 21 MeV/c(2) accounts for approximately half of all decays.     

Observation of the nuclear rainbow scattering for12C+12C atE Lab =300 MeV

The elastic and inelastic scattering of¹²C on¹²C has been measured in the angular range between 2.8° and 70.4° in the c.m. system atE _Lab =300 MeV. Optical model calculations have been performed with Woods-Saxon and folded potentials, the ground state and the first 2⁺-state were coupled in the calculations. The large cross sections of the elastic scattering at large angles is related to the nuclear rainbow scattering, which is centered at about 56°. This requires a potential depth of 100 MeV at a distance of 3 fm, the fit to the data is sensitive down to this region. The calculations with the folded potential show a better agreement with the data than those with the Woods-Saxon shape. The total reaction cross section of 1,420 mb, obtained from the optical model analysis, corresponds to the geometrical value; no transparency is observed.     

Spectroscopy of 36Mg: interplay of normal and intruder configurations at the neutron-rich boundary of the "island of inversion"

We report on the first spectroscopy study of the very neutron-rich nucleus (36)(12)Mg24 using the direct two-proton knockout reaction 9Be(38Si,36Mg+gamma)X at 83 MeV/nucleon. The energy of the first excited 2+ state of 36Mg, E(2+(1)=660(6) keV, was measured. The magnitude of the partial cross sections to the ground state and the 2+(1) state is indicative of strong intruder admixtures in the lowest-lying states as suggested by Monte Carlo shell-model calculations.     

Alpha:2n:alpha molecular band in 10Be

The 10.15 MeV resonance in 10Be has been probed via resonant 6He+4He elastic scattering. It is demonstrated that it is the Jpi=4+ member of a rotational band built on the 6.18 MeV 0+ state. A Gammaalpha of 0.10-0.13 MeV and Gammaalpha/Gamma=0.35-0.46 were deduced. The corresponding reduced alpha width, gamma2alpha, indicates one of the largest alpha-cluster spectroscopic factors known. The deformation of the band, including the 7.54 MeV, 2+ member, is large (h2/2I=200 keV). Such a deformation and the significant degree of clusterization signals a well-developed alpha:2n:alpha molecular structure.     

Evidence of New States Decaying into Xi(*)(c)pi

Using 13.7 fb(-1) of data recorded by the CLEO detector at Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we report evidence of two new charmed baryons: one decaying into Xi(0')(c)pi(+) with the subsequent decay Xi(0')(c)-->Xi(0)(c)gamma, and its isospin partner decaying into Xi(+')(c)pi(-) followed by Xi(+')(c)-->Xi(+)(c)gamma. We measure the following mass differences for the two states: M(Xi(0)(c)gammapi(+))-M(Xi(0)(c)) = 318.2+/-1.3+/-2.9 MeV and M(Xi(+)(c)gammapi(-))-M(Xi(+)(c)) = 324.0+/-1.3+/-3.0 MeV. We interpret these new states as the J(P) = 1 / 2(-) Xi(c1) particles, the charmed-strange analogs of the Lambda(+)(c1)(2593).     

High-spin states of 26Mg populated in the 12C(18O, α) reaction

The structure of ²⁶Mg has been investigated by means of the ¹²C(¹⁸O, α) reaction. Several previously unknown states were populated between excitation energies of 0 to 16 MeV. Excitation functions were measured for 126 states for bombarding energies between 43.2 and 45.9 MeV in 300 keV steps at a lab angle of 7°. The experimental energy averaged differential cross sections were compared with statistical model calculations and good agreement was obtained for the states whose spins and parities were previously established. The statistical model calculations were used to suggest the spins and parities for the rest of the states. In particular, candidates for 6⁺ and 8⁺ states were interpreted as members of three rotational bands in ²⁶Mg: the ground-state band, the K = 2⁺ band based on the 2.938 MeV 2⁺ state, and a K = 0⁺ band based on the 3.588 MeV 0⁺ state. Back bending of the yrast band is observed and it is suggested that it may be due to band crossing of the ground-state and first excited K = 0⁺ bands.     

Neutron polarizabilities investigated by quasifree Compton scattering from the deuteron

Measuring Compton scattered photons and recoil neutrons in coincidence, quasifree Compton scattering by the neutron has been investigated at MAMI (Mainz) at theta(lab)(gamma) = 136 degrees in an energy range from 200 to 400 MeV. From the data a polarizability difference of alpha(n)-beta(n) = 9.8+/-3.6(stat)+2.1-1.1(syst)+/-2.2(model) in units of 10(-4) fm(3) has been determined. In combination with the polarizability sum alpha(n)+beta(n) = 15.2+/-0.5 deduced from photoabsorption data, the first precise results for the neutron electric and magnetic polarizabilities, alpha(n) = 12.5+/-1.8(stat)+1.1-0.6(syst)+/-1.1(model) and beta(n) = 2.7-/+1.8(stat)+0.6-1.1(syst)-/+1.1(model), are obtained.     

Detailed energy dependence of the elastic and inelastic12C +12C scattering between 5 and 10 MeV/nucleon

Excitation functions for¹²C+¹²C elastic and inelastic scattering to 2⁺ level have been measured over the energy range 30–60 MeV (cm) by 250 keV steps using the kinematical coincidence method. The intermediate structure resonances disappear aboveE _cm=35 MeV while the broad and irregular structure becomes a general feature of the interaction at higher energies.